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{{short description|Fictional character from Star Trek}}
{{about||the French tennis player|Tom Paris (tennis)}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Tom Paris
| series = [[Star Trek]]
| image = TomParis.jpg
| portrayer = [[Robert Duncan McNeill]]
| first = "[[Caretaker (Star Trek: Voyager)|Caretaker]]" (1995)<br>(''[[Star Trek: Voyager|Voyager]]'')
| last = "We'll Always Have Tom Paris" (2021)<br>(''[[Star Trek: Lower Decks|Lower Decks]]'')
| species = Human
| affiliation = {{Ubl|[[United Federation of Planets]]|[[Starfleet]]|[[Maquis (Star Trek)|Maquis]]}}
| family = [[Owen Paris]] (father)<br>Julia Paris (mother){{efn|Name given based from the ''Star Trek: Voyager'' novel "Full Circle"}}
| children = [[List of Star Trek characters (N–S)#P| Miral Paris]]<br> Three with [[Kathryn Janeway]] (Unknown salamander-like species)
| full_name = Thomas Eugene Paris
| nickname = Tom
| lbl23 = Posting
| data23 = {{Ubl|[[Helmsman]] and [[medic]],|[[USS Voyager (Star Trek)|USS ''Voyager'']]}}
| lbl31 = [[Star Trek uniforms|Rank]]
| data31 = {{Ubl|Lieutenant (''Lower Decks'')|{{Abbrv|Lt.|Lieutenant}} Junior Grade (''Voyager'')|Ensign (''Voyager'')}}
| spouse = [[B'Elanna Torres]]
}}
[[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] '''Thomas Eugene "Tom" Paris''' is a fictional character in the American [[science fiction]] television series ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' and is portrayed by [[Robert Duncan McNeill]]. Paris is the chief helmsman, as well as a temporary auxiliary medic, of the [[USS Voyager (Star Trek)|USS ''Voyager'']], a [[Starfleet]] ship that was stranded in the [[Delta Quadrant]] by an alien entity known as the Caretaker. 

Initially recruited by Captain [[Kathryn Janeway]] as a Starfleet "observer" on ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s first mission into the Badlands, Paris was reinstated as a Starfleet officer by Janeway and took on the role of being ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s helmsman after the original helmsman was killed during the ship's turbulent displacement from the Alpha Quadrant.

The character's middle name, "Eugene", is a tribute to ''Star Trek'' creator [[Gene Roddenberry]].<ref>Okuda, M., & Okuda, D. (1997). The star trek encyclopedia: A reference guide to the future (Updat and expand ed.). New York: Pocket Books. P.374</ref>

==Background==
{{Quote box
| quote = He of all the crew is not dismayed by the cruel fate which has befallen them: what does it matter that they're at the ends of the galaxy? He's flying a ship and having adventures – that's just what he wants to be doing and it doesn't matter particularly to him where it happens.
| source = [[Rick Berman]], [[Michael Piller]], [[Jeri Taylor]], Tom Paris' description, ''Star Trek: Voyager Bible'', 1995
| align = left
| width = 30em
}}{{Expand section|date=October 2021}}
The writers planned to use the character of [[Nicholas Locarno|Nicolas Locarno]] as a template for Tom Paris, a previous similar character played by McNeill in the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation|Next Generation]]'' episode "[[The First Duty]]". ''Voyager''{{'}}s writers created an entirely new character sharing many of Locarno's attributes.<ref>''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' DVD set, Season 5, Disk 7, "Memorable Missions" featurette.</ref> One reason for this is that the writers wanted to have the character be a story of redemption, and they did not like the backstory established for Locarno.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-01-30|title=Star Trek: Why Voyager Avoided Reviving A TNG Character|url=https://screenrant.com/star-trek-voyager-tng-locarno-robert-mcneill-return/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref>

Paris' character has two backstories. The original backstory, and the only one acknowledged onscreen, cast Paris as a disgraced officer dishonorably discharged from Starfleet for covering up pilot error following a shuttle accident on Caldik Prime.<ref name=":2" /> In her published novel, ''Pathways'', ''Voyager'' producer [[Jeri Taylor]] provided an alternative story much more similar to Locarno's, moving the accident to Paris' Academy years and making his fellow cadets the victims of his recklessness.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==Appearances==

=== Prior to ''Voyager'' ===
In the ''Star Trek'' fictional universe, ''Star Trek: Voyager'' takes place in the years 2371 to 2378. Most of Paris' backstory takes place prior to the 2370s.

Tom Paris is the son of [[Starfleet]] Admiral [[Owen Paris]],<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Okuda|first1=Michael|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbYf2l7gczUC&q=Tom+Paris+Star+Trek|title=The Star Trek Encyclopedia|last2=Okuda|first2=Denise|last3=Mirek|first3=Debbie|date=2011-05-17|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4516-4688-7|language=en}}</ref> with most of his other family also hailing from Starfleet. Following his family's tradition, Paris attended [[Starfleet Academy]] sometime in the 2350s and majored in astrophysics.<ref name="caretaker">{{Cite episode|title=Future's End|episode-link=Future's End (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Braga, Brannon; Menosky, Joe|network=UPN|date=November 13, 1996|season=3|number=8 & 9|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/304.htm}}</ref> A gifted pilot, he earned an assignment to the Academy's honor squadron.

His relationship with his father was not a good one; while Tom wanted to join the [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] Naval Patrol due to his love for the [[sea]], Owen wanted him to enlist at Starfleet Academy.<ref name=":3">{{Cite episode|title=Thirty Days|episode-link=Thirty Days (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Biller, Kenneth; Miller, Scott|network=UPN|date=December 9, 1998|season=5|number=9|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/508.htm}}</ref> Admiral Paris often disapproved of his son's tendency to get into fights and his resulting punishments.

After his graduation from Starfleet Academy, Paris was assigned to the ''USS Exeter''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite episode|title=Non Sequitur|episode-link=Non Sequitur (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Braga, Brannon|network=UPN|date=September 25, 1995|season=2|number=5|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/202.htm}}</ref> During his initial tenure at Starfleet, Paris crashed a shuttle he was piloting near Caldik Prime, killing three other Starfleet officers. Afraid he would lose his commission, Paris falsified records to conceal the cause of the accident. His efforts to cover up his [[pilot error]] succeeded, but overwhelmed by guilt and regret, he confessed. He was [[Court-martial|court martialed]] for his actions and dishonorably discharged from Starfleet. This caused a major rift between Paris and his father.<ref name=":2">{{Cite episode|title=Caretaker|episode-link=Caretaker (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Berman, Rick; Piller, Michael; Taylor, Jeri|network=UPN|date=January 16, 1995|season=1|number=1|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/101.htm}}</ref>

Following his discharge, Paris left [[San Francisco]] for [[Marseille]], where he started spending his time drinking and playing pool in Sandrine's, a waterfront bar that he frequented during his academy days.<ref name=":4">{{Cite episode|title=The Cloud|episode-link=The Cloud (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Szollosi, Tom; Piller, Michael; Braga, Brannon|network=UPN|date=February 13, 1995|season=1|number=6|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/105.htm}}</ref> There, [[Chakotay]], a former Starfleet officer now serving with the [[Maquis (Star Trek)|Maquis]], recruited him to serve as a mercenary pilot for the Maquis Rebellion against the Federation. This adventure went no better than his earlier stint in Starfleet as Paris was captured by Starfleet while piloting his first mission for the Maquis.<ref name=":2" />

Tried and convicted of treason for aiding the Maquis Rebellion, Paris was sentenced to serve time in a Federation penal settlement near [[Auckland]], New Zealand.<ref name=":1" />

=== Events of ''Voyager'' ===
While serving time, Paris is visited by [[Kathryn Janeway]], captain of the starship [[USS Voyager (Star Trek)|USS ''Voyager'']]. ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s first mission was to travel to the Badlands and locate a missing Maquis ship commanded by Chakotay, which also has Janeway's chief of security [[Tuvok]] aboard as a spy. Janeway recruits Paris due to his previous experience working with the Maquis, obtaining his temporary release. In return, Paris would serve as an informant during the mission.<ref name=":2" />

Janeway and the crew of ''Voyager'', while searching for the Maquis ship, are thrown into the [[Delta Quadrant]] by a massive energy wave created by an alien known as the Caretaker. Once there, they successfully locate the Maquis ship docked at the Caretaker's array. The survivors of the incident become stranded about 70,000 light-years from Earth. The Maquis ship is destroyed and its crew joins the Federation crew on ''Voyager''.<ref name=":2" /> 

The marooning of ''Voyager'' in the Delta Quadrant provides Paris with a new beginning. Janeway gives Paris a field commission as a Starfleet lieutenant and makes him the chief helmsman of ''Voyager''. He had a rough start, however, as Starfleet and Maquis alike viewed Paris with suspicion due to his previous affiliations with both organizations.<ref name=":2" /> Paris worked hard to earn his crewmates' respect. During this time, he became best friends with Ensign [[Harry Kim (Star Trek)|Harry Kim]], a young officer on his first mission who defied his crewmates to befriend Paris. Eventually Paris is accepted by the crew and becomes one of Janeway's most valued officers.

As ''Voyager'' begins its journey home, Paris is involuntarily selected to be an auxiliary medic on ''Voyager'' as he had previously studied two semesters of [[biochemistry]] at Starfleet Academy.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Parallax|episode-link=Parallax (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Braga, Brannon; Trombetta, Jim|network=UPN|date=January 23, 1995|season=1|number=3|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/102.htm}}</ref> He is initially joined and eventually replaced by [[Kes (Star Trek)|Kes]] after she expresses a desire to learn from the Doctor.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Phage|episode-link=Phage (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Dent, Skye; Braga, Brannon; DeHaas, Timothy|network=UPN|date=February 6, 1995|season=1|number=5|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/104.htm}}</ref> Later, on an away mission, Paris visits the planet Banea with Harry Kim to find a replacement [[collimator]]. Once ''Voyager'' arrives to pick them up however, they learn that Paris is accused of murdering a well-known elderly engineering physicist after allegedly being caught flirting with the latter's wife. As punishment, the Baneans imprint the scientist's final moments leading up to his death in Paris' brain, which Paris has to relive repeatedly, slowly causing permanent [[brain damage]]. Tuvok conducts his own investigation to determine the true culprit, and discovers that Paris had been framed by the Baneans' enemies and is being used as a messenger, with the messages being imprinted in the recollection which Paris initially thought to be random letters and numbers. Upon discovery of Paris' innocence, the imprints are removed.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Ex Post Facto|episode-link=Ex Post Facto (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Carlos Somers, Evan; Piller, Michael|network=UPN|date=February 27, 1995|season=1|number=8|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/107.htm}}</ref>

During ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s second year in the Delta Quadrant, Paris reconfigures a shuttlecraft with the help of Kim and chief engineer [[B'Elanna Torres]] and breaks the [[transwarp]] barrier, achieving warp 10 and becoming the first known person to do so. However, this later causes Paris to experience an accelerated state of [[evolution]] that would normally take humans millions of years. During this, Paris kidnaps Janeway in a shuttlecraft and brings her on a warp 10 flight. ''Voyager'' later finds the duo on an uninhabited planet and discovers that they had evolved into [[amphibian]]-like beings and had reproduced. The Doctor manages to reverse the evolution process using [[antiproton]] treatments.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Threshold|episode-link=Threshold (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Braga, Brannon; De Luca, Michael|network=UPN|date=January 29, 1996|season=2|number=15|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/212.htm}}</ref> Later that year, Paris also participates in a plot organized by Janeway and Tuvok in order to flush out a possible [[traitor]] aboard ''Voyager'' that had been feeding information to [[Seska]] and the [[Kazon]], one of ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s enemies. However, this negatively impacts Paris' relations with first officer Chakotay as no one else had known of the plan, all being deceived by Paris' apparent tardiness and attitude. The plot is successful at deceiving the rest of the crew to the point where Neelix, believing that Paris was going to leave ''Voyager'' for good, gives a tribute speech on his own onboard show. Paris later manages to sneak on board a Kazon ship and discover the spy.<ref name=":7">{{Cite episode|title=Investigations|episode-link=Investigations (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Taylor, Jeri; Schnaufer, Jeff; Bond, Ed|network=UPN|date=March 13, 1996|season=2|number=20|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/215.htm}}</ref> In the season 3 premiere, "[[Basics (Star Trek: Voyager)|Basics]]", Paris takes back ''Voyager'' with the assistance of the Doctor, crewman [[Lon Suder]] as well as several [[Talaxian]] ships after ''Voyager'' was taken over by the Kazon.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Basics|episode-link=Basics (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Piller, Michael|network=UPN|date=September 4, 1996|season=3|number=1|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/222.htm#To%20Be%20Continued.....}}</ref>

During ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s third and fourth years into its journey, Paris is accused of [[Terrorism|bombing]] an alien world along with Kim and is sentenced to jail. Paris becomes gravely injured after being [[stabbed]] during a prison fight. Despite ''Voyager'' later discovering and bringing forward the true perpetrator, Paris and Kim are denied release due to the society's laws. Both men are later saved by Janeway and the others after they break into the prison.<ref name=":8">{{Cite episode|title=The Chute|episode-link=The Chute (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Biller, Kenneth; C. Harris, Clayvon|network=UPN|date=September 18, 1996|season=3|number=3|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/301.htm}}</ref> Relationships-wise, Paris grows closer to B'Elanna Torres. In one instance, Torres experiences symptoms similar to the [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcan]] ''[[pon farr]]'' and aggressively pursues Paris as a result. Knowing that Torres was in a delirious state, Paris does not engage with her, angering the latter as she knew of Paris' advances.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Blood Fever|episode-link=Blood Fever (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Klink, Lisa|network=UPN|date=February 5, 1997|season=3|number=16|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/310.htm}}</ref> The year after, Paris and Torres are on an away mission which had gone wrong. As the pair float aimlessly in space in their [[Environmental suit|environmental suits]], the duo confesses to each other their true feelings. Fortunately, they are saved by ''Voyager'' in time. As the rest of the crew are unaware of the duo's relationship, they try their best to keep quiet about it.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Day of Honor|episode-link=Day of Honor (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Taylor, Jeri|network=UPN|date=September 17, 1997|season=4|number=3|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/403.htm}}</ref> During that year, Paris also returns to being a field medic after Kes departs ''Voyager'' in "[[The Gift (Star Trek: Voyager)|The Gift]]", serving regular shifts in the sickbay.

The following year, Paris builds his own unique shuttlecraft which he named the ''Delta Flyer''. The construction of the craft was authorized by Janeway as ''Voyager'' had to retrieve a multi-spatial probe that was lost in the atmosphere of a [[gas giant]]. Paris and the ''Delta Flyer'' manage to safely retrieve the probe.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Extreme Risk|episode-link=Extreme Risk (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Biller, Kenneth|network=UPN|date=October 28, 1998|season=5|number=3|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/503.htm}}</ref> Later that year, Paris is demoted to ensign by Janeway and placed in ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s brig for 30 days after disobeying direct orders [[Prime Directive|to not interfere]] with another society, called the Moneans, who lived on a planet where the entirety of its surface area was covered in water. Paris, who had an affection for the sea, had become concerned with the planet's gradual loss of water. Upon discovery by Paris that the Moneans' own oxygen-mining operations are to blame for the loss of water, he goes in the ''Delta Flyer'' with a Monean in order to target the oxygen refineries so that they could be temporarily taken out of operation and redesigned in a way that reduced the loss of water. The attack is foiled by ''Voyager'' at the last second, preventing a massive catastrophe. As Paris spends 30 days in the brig, he dictates his whole situation in his personal access display device in the form of a letter to his father to pass the time, later instructing the computer to transmit the letter to his father once ''Voyager'' is within range of Earth.<ref name=":3" /> 

During ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s last few years in the Delta Quadrant, Paris is repromoted to [[Lieutenant (junior grade)|lieutenant junior grade]] in the season 6 finale "[[Unimatrix Zero]]" after a year of exemplary service.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Unimatrix Zero|episode-link=Unimatrix Zero (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Braga, Brannon; Menosky, Joe; Sussman, Mike|network=UPN|date=May 24, 2000|season=6|number=26|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/625.htm}}</ref> As Paris and Torres' relationship grew deeper, they marry during an interstellar race.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Drive|episode-link=Drive (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Taylor, Michael|network=UPN|date=October 18, 2000|season=7|number=3|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/702.htm}}</ref> Later that year, when it is revealed that Torres had become [[Pregnancy|pregnant]], Paris manages to convince Torres to let their baby inherit Torres' [[Klingon]] characteristics when she did not want them.<ref name=":5">{{Cite episode|title=Lineage|episode-link=Lineage (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Kahn, James|network=UPN|date=January 24, 2001|season=7|number=12|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/710.htm}}</ref> As ''Voyager'' makes their return to the Alpha Quadrant and Earth in 2378, Torres gives birth to her and Paris' daughter, Miral Paris.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Endgame|episode-link=Endgame (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Berman, Rick; Biller, Kenneth; Braga, Brannon; Doherty, Robert|network=UPN|date=May 23, 2001|season=7|number=26|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/722.htm}}</ref>

=== Later career ===
Paris briefly appears in ''[[Star Trek: Lower Decks]]'' in the season 2 episode "We'll Always Have Tom Paris", set approximately three years after the end of ''Star Trek:'' ''Voyager''. In ''Lower Decks'', Paris, who by then had been fully promoted to lieutenant, had been moving through various Starfleet ships and posts, conducting handshake tours and speaking of his experiences in the Delta Quadrant. In one instance, Paris visits the USS ''Cerritos'', the show's focus ship, much to the excitement of one of the show's main characters.

=== Non-canonical appearances ===
In the non-canonical ''Voyager'' relaunch novels, written by [[Christie Golden]], Paris was promoted two steps in rank, like many of the ''Voyager'' crew, and is now a [[lieutenant commander]]. He is serving as the first officer of ''Voyager'', under the command of now-Captain [[Chakotay]].

In ''[[Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force]]'', published by [[Activision]] in 2000, Paris appears in the game as the ship's helmsman.

In ''[[Star Trek Online]]'', a massive multiplayer online role-playing game developed by [[Cryptic Studios]], Paris is active as a Starfleet captain in the early 25th century. Paris makes his first appearance in the game in 2015, with McNeill reprising Paris and voicing him.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 16, 2015|title=Tom Paris Reporting For Duty!|url=https://www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/9131423-tom-paris-reporting-for-duty!|access-date=October 2, 2021|website=Arc Games}}</ref>

==Personality==

=== Personal interests ===
Paris had a deep interest in 20th-century Earth [[pop culture]], often utilizing such in his holo-programs. This knowledge helped the crew during time travel incidents.<ref name="caretaker" /> 

Paris had also shown an interest in [[Car|cars]]; he was well-versed with 20th-century automobiles and even created his own holoprogram where he would tinker with cars from that era.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Vis à Vis|episode-link=Vis à Vis (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Doherty, Robert|network=UPN|date=April 8, 1998|season=4|number=20|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/417.htm}}</ref> This interest was also shown when ''Voyager'' encountered a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] truck that originated from 1936 floating in space, as Paris was able to identify the car model and even the year it came from.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=The 37's|episode-link=The 37's (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Braga, Brannon; Taylor, Jeri|network=UPN|date=August 28, 1995|season=2|number=1|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/119.htm}}</ref> He also programmed a holoprogram featuring a [[1957 Chevy]] for the Doctor to use when the latter had an attraction to a [[Vidiians|Vidiian]] patient.<ref name=":6">{{Cite episode|title=Lifesigns|episode-link=Lifesigns (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Biller, Kenneth|network=UPN|date=February 26, 1996|season=2|number=19|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/216.htm}}</ref>

During Paris' childhood, he had an interest in the sea as well as naval ships; in one instance, Paris was scolded by his father for playing with ancient [[sailing ship]] models instead of doing his homework. This interest later pushed Paris to do everything in his power to save the Moneans' planet, which was entirely water-based, as it was losing water due to the society's oxygen-mining operations.<ref name=":3" />

While serving on ''Voyager'', Paris also nurtured a long-hidden talent for holo-programming, devising several programs for the entertainment of his fellow crewmembers. His most popular programs included a re-creation of Sandrine's bar, an Irish town called Fair Haven, and a 1930s-era sci-fi movie serial titled ''[[Captain Proton]]''.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Fair Haven|episode-link=Fair Haven (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Bernheim, Robin|network=UPN|date=January 12, 2000|season=6|number=11|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/610.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode|title=Night|episode-link=Night (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Braga, Brannon; Menosky, Joe|network=UPN|date=October 14, 1998|season=5|number=1|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/501.htm}}</ref>

=== Relationships ===
Paris was at times portrayed as feeling resentful toward his father, Owen Paris, due to the latter's words and actions which made Paris feel misunderstood and isolated during his childhood years. Their relationship improved substantially over the course of the series, due to Captain Janeway's willingness to offer him redemption, and later due to his relationship with [[B'Elanna Torres]].

He became good friends with Harry Kim from the start and at times displayed protectiveness in the face of Harry's customary naiveté. In "[[Caretaker (Star Trek: Voyager)|Caretaker]]", he rescues the ensign from [[Quark (Star Trek)|Quark]], a manipulative [[Ferengi]].<ref name=":2" /> Kim later befriends Paris. The bond between both men strengthened after Kim protected Paris while they were imprisoned in a jail complex despite the latter destroying one of Kim's tools while in a delirious state.<ref name=":8" />

Paris also viewed Captain Janeway in high regard. As she recruited Paris to join ''Voyager'' on its initial first mission, he was fatefully brought along to the Delta Quadrant. This made Paris felt like he had been given a second chance in life and was grateful to her for it. In one instance where all members of the crew were forced to abandon ship as ''Voyager'' prepared to self-destruct in order to destroy a missile from hitting an inhabited planet, Paris thanked Janeway for everything she has done before he left the ship in an escape pod while Janeway stayed behind to oversee the auto-destruction sequence.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Dreadnought|episode-link=Dreadnought (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Holland, Gary|network=UPN|date=February 12, 1996|season=2|number=17|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/214.htm}}</ref>

One member of the crew with whom Paris initially had a somewhat difficult relationship was Chakotay because of their history in the [[Maquis (Star Trek)|Maquis]].<ref name=":2" /> Paris also expressed dislike of Chakotay's leadership as he felt that Chakotay was not flexible regarding Starfleet protocols, insisting that he overruled most of the other officers' suggestions and opinions.<ref name=":6" /> These tensions even escalated to the point where Paris had to be placed in the brig after pushing Chakotay to the floor.<ref name=":6" /> However, it was later revealed that these tensions were all a ruse in a plot to expose a traitor on ''Voyager'', though unbeknownst to Chakotay.<ref name=":7" /> Fortunately, throughout ''Voyager''{{'}}s seven-year journey home, Paris and Chakotay reconciled (in part due to Paris having earned Chakotay's trust) and became good friends.

Initially, Paris and [[Neelix]] also often got into personal conflicts due to the former's often fraternizations with [[Kes (Star Trek)|Kes]], who was Neelix's girlfriend. Neelix felt jealous of Paris as the latter had given Kes a special [[locket]] for her birthday.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Twisted|episode-link=Twisted (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Biller, Kenneth; Rudnick, Arnold; Hosek, Rich|network=UPN|date=October 2, 1995|season=2|number=6|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/118.htm}}</ref> They later resolved their differences after taking care of an alien baby together while on an away mission.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Parturition|episode-link=Parturition (Star Trek: Voyager)|series=Star Trek: Voyager|series-link=Star Trek: Voyager|credits=Szollosi, Tom|network=UPN|date=October 9, 1995|season=2|number=7|transcript=Voyager Episode Transcript|transcript-url=http://www.chakoteya.net/Voyager/203.htm}}</ref> When Paris appeared to be departing the ship in the episode "[[Investigations (Star Trek: Voyager)|Investigations]]", Neelix was shown to be greatly concerned for Paris. When he later found out that Paris was part of a plot to expose a spy aboard ''Voyager'', he volunteered to take part in the plot to bring back Paris safely.<ref name=":7" /> When Torres' baby was announced during ''Voyager''<nowiki/>'s last year in the quadrant, Paris had initially thought of Neelix to be the child's godfather, though Neelix had to give the role to the Doctor as the former already had goddaughter [[Naomi Wildman]].<ref name=":5" />

== Reception ==
{{Expand section|date=October 2021}}
[[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'']] ranked Paris as the 26th most important character of [[Starfleet]] in 2016,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=2016-09-05|title=Star Trek's 100 Most Important Crew Members, Ranked|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/09/star-treks-100-crew-members-ranked/|access-date=2019-03-20|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> while ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' ranked Paris as the 19th best Starfleet character in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-trek-starfleet-members-ranked/|title=Star Trek: The 25 Best Members Of Starfleet, Ranked|date=2018-10-27|website=CBR|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-20}}</ref>

In 2020, ''[[Screen Rant|ScreenRant]]'' ranked B'Elanna Torres and Paris as the 3rd best romantic couple of all ''Star Trek''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-04|title=The 10 Best Couples In Star Trek, Ranked|url=https://screenrant.com/star-trek-best-couples-romantic-ranked/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, they also felt that Paris' story arc was an interesting one, as he starts off on probation from Starfleet prison, but then returns to good standing over the course of his adventures on the show.<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Speculative fiction|Television}}
* ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''
* [[List of Star Trek: Voyager episodes|List of ''Star Trek: Voyager'' episodes]]
* ''[[Star Trek]]''

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Memoryalpha}}
* [https://intl.startrek.com/database_article/paris-tom Tom Paris] at StarTrek.com

{{Star Trek: Voyager}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paris, Tom}}
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